Container carrier



Filed Feb. 5, 1965 Nov. 14,- 1967 E. STRUBLE 3,352,451

CONTAINER CARRIER l5 Sheets-Sheet l F/GZ MENTOR GLENN a STRUBLE GQQLQ FCOCKS ATTORNEY vCONTAINER CARRIER Filed Feb. 5, 1965 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 GLENN s. STR'U'BLE K5121 PC00 5 ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 1967 G. E. STRUBLE 3,352,451

CONTAINER CARRIER Filed Feb. 5, 1965 15 Sheets-Sheet '5 Y INVENTOR 222 GLENN E. STRUBLE BY PCOC KS ATTORNEY Nov. 14,1967

Filed Feb. 5, 1965 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 f I r slo J SIS 3|: als

FIG 1'1 INVENTOR GLENN E. 'STRUBLE BY 'farzkb). FIJCKS TQ EY Nov. 14,1967 GE. TRUBLE $352,451

7 CONTAINER CARRIER Filed Feb.v 5, 1965 l5 Sheets-Sheet 6- 3M 3l5 GLENN E. STRUBLE BY F50 0K5 TORN Y Nov. 14,1967

Filed Feb. 5, 1965 is Sheets Sheet v INVENTOR GLENN E. STRUBLE ATTORNEY G. E. STRUBLE 3,352,451

CONTAINER CARRIER Nov; 14, 1967 I G. E. smusus 3,352 5 I CONTAINER CARRIER 1 Filed Feb. 5, .1965 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 v INVENTOR GLENN E. STRUBLE BY 673k FT-bCKS a! ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 1967 "e. E. STRUBLE 3,

' CONTAINER CARRIER I Filed Feb. 5, 1965 l5 Sheets-Sheet 9 I38" I34 I34 I38 INVEM OR GLENN E. STRUBLE ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 19 67 -.s. E. STRUBL CONTAINER CARRIER Filed Feb. 5, I965 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 FIG 22 INVENTOR GLE'NN E. STRUBLE ATTORNEY O 5 5 G. E. STRUBLE I 3,352,451

CONTAINER CARRIER Filed Feb. 5, 1965 15 Sheets-Sheet; 11

INVENTOR GLENN E. STQRUBLE ATTORNEY Nov. 14, 1967 G. E. S TRUBILE 3,352,451

CONTAINER CARRIER File d Feb. 5, 1965 15 Sheets-Sheet 1a INVENTOR GLENN E. STRUBLE ATTORNEY Nov. 14,1967 G. E. STRUBLE 3,352,451

CONTAINER. CARRIER Filed Feb. 5, 1965 15 Sheets-Sheet l5 GLENN E. STRUBLE QL. FEBCICS 2 ATTORNEY CONTAINER CARRIER Filed Feb. s, 1965 15 shets-sheei 14 GLENN E. STRUBLE ATTORNEY G. E. STRUBLE 3,352,451

NOV. 14-5 1967 UB E 3,352,451

- CONTAINER CARRIER Filed Feb. 5, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTOR GLENN E. STRUBLE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,352,451 CONTAINER CARRIER Glenn E. Strubie, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to Diamond International Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 430,620 20 Claims. (Cl. 220-102) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carrier for bottles or cans having a rigid support means with a locking means integral with the support means and a handle thereon, and paperboard supporting means hanging from the rigid support means and attached by its tabs engaged in the locking means. Variations in handles and separator means used, with variations in paperboard means to accommodate to these handle and separator forms are shown.

The present invention relates to a carrier for bottles or cans and has particular reference to an improved combination of plastic, aluminum, or material similar to either, with a paperboard carrier.

This application is a continuation-in-part of applicants copending application entitled, Container Carrier, Ser. No. 406,000, filed Oct. 23, 1964.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to providing an economical reusable carrier with replaceable advertising bottom section for soft drink and beer industries.

The invention seeks to provide a novel carrier which has a combination of plastic, aluminum or some similar material with paperboard. This allows the plastic-like or metal portion to be a one time purchase and the inexpensive paperboard portion to be replaced as necessary.

With the combination of the present invention, manufacturers can build into the plastic or aluminum or similar material top portion all the strength which is required in the handle and separator cell areas and use the paperboard for pictorial and advertising copy.

The all-cardboard carrier which is generally used at present may be reused for approximately four trips and then is usually discarded because of its soiled appearance, necessitating the purchase of a completely new carrier. With a combination carrier of the present invention, only the cardboard or paperboard portion must be repurchased with great savings to the soft drink and beer companies.

Basically the carrier of the present invention involves the concept of joining a permanent, more expensive plastic-like or metal handle and separator portions to an inexpensive replaceable cardboard or paperboard bottom or supporting portion to create a versatile economical carrier. Replacement of the cardboard portion also allows periodic change in the advertising matter thereon.

With the new arrangement it is possible to replace the paperboard section without any necessity of tearing apart of glued portions or of theuse of any gluing machines in assembling a new cardboard portion to the plastic-like or metal portion allowing the use of a much less expensive assembling machine.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the carrier of the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are a front elevation, a top plan view and a side elevation respectively of only the handle and horizontal separator section of the carrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

3,352,451 Patented Nov. 14, 1967 'ice FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a handle and separator section of the present invention;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are front elevation, top plan and side elevation views respectively of the handle and separator section of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a carrier of the present invention;

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are front elevation, top plan, and side elevation views respectively of the handle and separator section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross section view along lines 1414 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a handle and separator section of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the carrier of the present invention;

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are top plan, and front and side views, respectively, of the handle and separator section of the carrier of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the flat blank from which the paperboard supporting means of the carrier shown in FIG. 1 is formed;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the paperboard supporting means of FIG. 20 in a partially folded condition.

FIG. 22 is a view of a blank showing a second embodiment from which a paperboard supporting means of the present invention is formed;

FIG. 23 is a partially folded View of the blank shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the blank in FIG. 22

after additional folds have been made;

FIG. 25 illustrates a third embodiment of a blank of a paperboard supporting means used with the carrier of the present invention and illustrated with the handle and separator section in the perspective view of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are perspective views of the blank of FIG. 25 in partially folded and fully folded conditions, respectively;

FIG. 28 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a blank used with the carrier of the present invention;

FIG. 29 illustrates the blank of FIG. 28 after a first fold has been made;

FIG. 30 illustrates the blank of FIG. 28 in perspective view and in assembled condition except for handle and separator section;

FIG. 31 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a blank used with a carrier of the present invention and illustrated with a handle in the perspective view of FIG. 16; and

FIGS. 32 and 33 illustrate steps in the folding and assembling of the blank of FIG. 31.

One embodiment of the present invent-ion is illustrated in FIG. 1 by the combination carrier shown therein. This combination carrier consists of a plastic, aluminum,

or a material similar to either, handle 101 and a horizontal separator section which has attached thereto a paperboard supporting means forming the sides and bottom of carrier 100.

Additional views of the handle 101 and the horizontal separator section '110 are shown in FIGS. 2 through 4. Details of the paperboard supporting means 130 are shown in FIGS. 20-21 and will be discussed in detail in accordance with those figures The handle 101 and horizontal separator section 110 part of carrier 100 is shown in detail in FIGS. 1-4. It consists of a handle 101 having a gripping portion 102 at its upper end. Gripping portion 102 is attached to a center cross bar 112 extending between end bars 111 while intersecting transverse bars 113 of the horizontal separator section 110, by means of handle pedestal portion 103.

Cross bar 112, besides furnishing the connection for handle 101, also forms in combination with end bars 111 3 and transverse bars 113 call dividers to hold the containers in the container carrier 100 in separate cells out of contact with each other, thus safeguarding these containers, especially bottles, against damage.

Connecting the ends of end bars 111 with adjacent ends of transverse bars 113 are locking means 114 by which connection is made with the paperboard supporting means 130. Paperboard supporting means 130 as illustrated in FIGS. and 21 is an example of one form which may be used with a horizontal separator section 110. Another example of a form of paperboard supporting means which may be used with horizontal separator section 110 is illustrated by paperboard supporting means 230 shown in FIGS. 22-24.

A locking means 114, used for attachment of the paperboard supporting means to the horizontal separator section, is shown in an enlarged section view of FIG. 5. A locking tab formed by an end tab folded over on an adjacent panel which is part of paperboard supporting means 130 will be discussed further in conjunction with the blanks illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21. The locking means 114 is formed as part of horizontal separator section 110 and is connected at the end of each end bar 111 to an adjacent end of a transverse bar 113 extending therebetween. The locking means 114 consists of a first channel 119 extending completely through the material of the horizontal separator section and a second channel 120 only partially cut through the material. The construction of locking means 114, so as to obtain first channel 119 and second channel 120, comprises an intermediate wall 117 having an outer wall 115 and an inner wall 116 on opposite sides of said intermediate wall in planes substantially mutually parallel to intermediate wall 117. A connecting bottom piece 118 extending between the intermediate wall 117 and in this case outer wall 115 closes off the bottom of second channel 120. With locking means 114 so formed, the paperboard supporting means 130 is connected thereto by insertion of end tab 139 and adjacent panel 138 up through the first channel 119. End tab 139 is then hinged downward and allowed to extend downward into second channel 120. With the adjacent portion 138 of paperboard supporting means 130 extending downward and out through the bottom of first channel 119, the weight of containers in the paperboard supporting means 130 causes a downward force on this section and tends to tighten the portions of paperboard supporting means 130 in their respective locking means 114 of horizontal separator section 110.

As can be seen from the embodiment illustrated, the attachment of paperboard supporting means 130 to horizontal separator section 110 does not require any gluing operation and may be performed at the bottling plant or may be completed elsewhere without the use of special machinery. It may also be performed by a hand operation wherever additional combination carriers may be required, such as at the retail outlets.

Substantially similar parts of the different embodiments of the container carrier illustrated in the figures are numbered with the same number except in a different hundred series. It should be noted also that all embodiments are substantially symmetrical from front to back and side to side and therefore similar parts in the rear or opposite sides of the containers have in most instances been given prime numbers to designate their similarity to portions in the front and one side of the different embodiments of blanks of the paperboard supporting means.

A second embodiment of a handle and separator section of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6-9. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and may be used with the same forms of paperboard supporting means used with that embodiment, such as for example, paperboard supporting means 130 and 230 illustrated in FIGS. 20-21 and 22-24, respectively.

In this embodiment separator sectiq .0 has a p handles 201 and 201' having gripping portions 202 and 202, respectively, and pedestal portions 203 and 203', respectively, similar in construction to handle 101 of the first embodiment. While the pedestal portion 103 of the first embodiment is attached to horizontal separator section by a rigid means it may also be attached in a hinged manner, but with the double handle in this second embodiment, attachment of pedestal portions 203 and 203 to cross bar 212 is made at the hinged connection line 224 so that handles 201 and201' may be held together as illustrated in FIG. 9 for carrying of containers when used in conjunction with a paperboard supporting means. For purposes such as'stacking, the handles may be laid fiat as illustrated in FIG. 8. Alternatively these double handles may be substituted for the single handle 101 to be used with horizontal saparator section 110.

In addition to the use of double handles, separator sec-- tion 210 differs from the previous embodiment by having vertical extension 222 of cross bar 212 and vertical extentions 223 of transverse bars 213 intersecting vertical extension 222, with said vertical extensions all extending downward into the paperboard supporting means that can be attached to separator section 210,v thereby providing better separation of the containers in the container carrier and greater protection of said containers, especially bottles, from damage. The remaining parts of separator section 210 are similar in all respects to those of separator section 110.

Combination carrier 300 shown in perspective view in FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of the carrier of the present invention. A handle 301 with gripping portion 302 and pedestal portion 303 is attached to cross bar 312 in a manner similar to that discussed in connection with handle 101 and horizontal separator section 1'10. Cross bar 312 is connected to the mid points of end bars 311 and is intersected by transverse bars 313 as illustrated in further detail in FIGS. 11-13. In these respects handle 301 and horizontal saparator section 310 are similar to the embodiment illustrating handle 101 and horizontal separator section 110.

Looking means 314 has the same cross section construction illustrated in FIG. 14 by an outer wall 315 and an inner wall 316 on opposite sides and mutually parallel to an intermediate wall 137 and having a connecting bottom portion 318 between the intermediate and outer walls, thereby forming a completely cut-through first channel 319 and a partially cut-through second channel 320, similar to locking means 114 illustrated in FIG. 5. But locking means 314 not only extends between adjacent ends of transverse bar 313 and end bar 311 but also extends as illustrated in the figures from the ends of end bars 311 along a portion thereof. Locking means 314 is therefore L-shaped, allowing additional support and strength for attachment of paperboard supporting means 330, but requiring a paperboard means different from those that may be used with the previous embodiments. Such paperboard means are illustrated in greater detail in the examples of paperboard supporting means 330 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 25-27 and by paperboard supporting means. 430 illustrated by FIGS. 28-30 which may also be used with separator section 310.

A fourth embodiment of a handle and horizontal separator means which may be used with the type of paper board supporting means" illustrated by paperboard sup porting means 330 and 430 is shown in a perspective" view in FIG. 15. Horizontal separator section 410 is the same as. horizontal separator section 310 in all respects regarding the construction of cross bar 412, end bars 411, transverse bars 413 and locking means 414. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in the constructon of handle 401 which in this embodiment is either a wire or string 404 connected at its ends 405 to the ends of cross bar 412 where they intersect with the mid points. of end bars 411. Due to the flexible or non-rigid nature of wire or string 404 the horizontal separator sections.

410 with handle 401 may be even more conveniently stacked than those of the previous embodiment and may also have other inherent advantages in ease of construction and durability.

Combination carrier 500 illustrated in FIG. 16 shows a fifth embodiment of the carrier of the present invention. The portion manufactured of plastic or metal or material similar to either is further illustrated in FIGS. 17-19. Paperboard supporting means 530 adapted for use with this upper portion is discussed in more detail in connection with FIGS. 31-33. The upper portions comprises a handle 501 having a gripping portion 502 and notches 508 at either end, which fit over end vbars 511 and at which place handle 501 is attached to the mid point of end bars 511. End bars 511 contain locking means 514 therein extending from each end of each of said end bars 511 along a portion of said end bars with outer wall 515, inner wall 516, and intermediate wall 517 formed as an integral part of end bars 511. Locking means 514 are similar in all respects as to their internal construction and operation as previously discussed in connection 'with FIG. 5. Beneath gripping portion '502 and handle 501 are extensions 506 extending toward each other and in a plane parallel with gripping portion 502. On the underside of each of extensions are found downwardly opening notches 507. These notches are used for securing separator portions of paperboard supporting means 530 in assembled position and will be discussed in conjunction with the details of that paperboard supporting means.

Paperboard supporting means 130 illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 shows the details of a blank that may be folded for use with either separator sections 110 or 210. The fiat blank from which paperboard supporting means 130 is formed as illustrated in FIG. 20 is a substantially rectangular form having a smaller rectangular portion forming a bottom panel 131 extending across the width of the rectangular form. Score lines 132 and 133 delineate the boundaries of bottom panel 131. A connecting panel 134 of narrow rectangular configuration extending the width of the rectangular form of the blank has a score line 136 on its opposite side from score line 132, parallel to said first score line, at which front panel 135 is attached. On the side of front panel 135 opposite from score line 136 and along the edge of the blank forming paperboard supporting means 130 is a central panel extension finger 137 flanked on either side by side panel extension fingers 138. End tabs 139 are attached to each of side panel extension fingers 138 at score lines 140. End tabs 139 and the outer portions of side panel extension fingers 138 are separated from central panel extension finger 137 by grooves 141. The outer edge 143 of central panel extension finger 137 is colinear with the outer edges 144 of end tabs 139 but separated from each other by the grooves 141, thereby forming one edge of the rectangular blank. Substantially semi-circular cutout openings 142 are formed in connecting panel 134 with the wider portion of their bases along score line 132. In a symmetrical manner, and designated by prime numbers for symmetrical parts, rear panel 135 is attached to connecting panel 134 at score line 136 which in turn is connected to bottom panel 131 at score line 133. In a similar manner on the edge opposite that having central panel extension finger 137 and side panel extension fingers 138 of the rectangular blank are found central panel extension finger 137' and side panel extension fingers 1'38 separated from central panel extension finger 137' by grooves 141' and having end tabs 139' attached to side panel extension fingers 138' at score lines 140. Also shown is edge 143' colinear with edges 144' and cutouts 142' found in connecting panel 134.

The paperboard supporting means 130 in partially folded condition preparatory to connection with locking means 114 and horizontal separator section 110 is shown in FIG. 21. Side panel extension fingers 138 with end tabs 139 are inserted up through channel 119 of locking means 114 and then hinged outward and downward, Upon reversal of the direction from that of insertion, end tabs 139 are inserted into second channel 120 and overhanged intermediate wall 117 substantially at score lines 140. In a similar manner the opposite end of the blank designated by prime numbers is folded and inserted in locking tabs 114 at the rear of horizontal separator section 110 either following the first operation or simultaneously with that operation of insertion thereby forming combination carrier as illustrated in assembled form in FIG. 1.

A second embodiment paperboard supporting means 230 as illustrated in detail in FIGS. 22-24 may alternatively be used with horizontal separator sections or 210. The blank of paperboard supporting means 230 comprises a bottom panel 231 with mutually parallel score lines 232 and 233 along opposite sides of said bottom panel and mutually parallel score lines 250 and 250' perpendicular to the ends of score lines 232 and 233. A front panel 235 is connected to bottom panel 231 along score line 232 and a rear panel 235 is connected along score line 233 to the opposite side of bottom panel 231. Extending outward and away from score line 232 on the opposite edge of front panel 235 are central panel extension fingers 237 and side panel extension fingers 238 on opposite sides thereof and separated therefrom by grooves 241 having cutout portions therein forming hinged ears 248 connected to central panel extension fingers 237 by score lines 247. End tabs 239 are connected along score lines 240 to side panel extension fingers 238 and have their outer edges 244 colinear with the outer edge 243 of central panel extension finger 237. On opposite ends of front panel 235 and colinear with score lines 250 and 250" are score lines 252 which connect side flaps 251 to opposite sides of front panel 235. In each of side flaps 251 are found slits 255 perpendicular to the outer edge of said side flaps. Side panels 249 and 249' are attached to bottom panel 231 by score lines 250 and 250, respectively. Oblique score lines 255 drawn from the intersection of score lines 252 and 232 connect triangular portions 253 to side flaps 251, and by score lines 254 colinear and on opposite sides of score line 232 connect said triangular sections 253 to side panels 249 and 249', respectively. In a similar formation rear panel 235' connected to bottom panel 231 at score line 233 is surrounded by and consists of similar side flaps 251', panel extension fingers 237 and 238', end tabs 239' and triangular sections 253'.

In folding the blank of paperboard supporting means 230 for use with the separator section first folds are made along score lines 250, 250' and 252, 252', thereby overlapping side panels 249 and 249" over bottom panel 231 and side flaps 251 and triangular sections 253 over front panel 235 and side flaps 251' and triangular sections 253 over rear panel 235' as shown in FIG. 23. Hinged flaps 248 and 248' are rotated 90 inward on score lines 247 and 247, respectively, As shown in FIG. 24, while end tabs 239 and 239 are hinged inwardly on score lines 240 and 240, respectively, after insertion in locking means in the horizontal separator section, side panels 249 and 249' are raised to a vertical position causing triangular sections 253 and 253' to fold back onto side flaps 251 and 251', respectively. The paperboard supporting means 230 in FIG. 24 is now in the position it would be as assembled with horizontal separator sections 110 or 210.

It should be noted that in this illustration end tabs 239 and 239' are hinged and rotated inwardly differing from prior illustrations where these similar end tabs were hinged outwardly. Such opposite rotation of the end tabs is optional as long as locking means 114 is constructed to accommodate such opposite rotation. All this requires in the construction of locking means 114 is to reverse the position of the first and second channels 119 and 120, respectively, so that the partially cut through channel is adjacent to the inner Wall and the fully cut through channel 119 is adjacent to the outer wall. If we were to consider Wall 15 as an inner wall and wall 116 as an outer wall in FIG. 5 instead, as they have been previously 7 designated, this figure would be an illustration of'the locking means made to accommodate the paperboard supporting means with end tabs rotated inwardly as shown in FIG; 24. V V

FIGS. 25-27 illustrate a third embodiment of a paper- 'board supporting means showing paperboard supporting means 330 of a form that can be used with horizontal separator sections such as section 310 described in FIGS. 10-13 and a fourth embodiment of horizontal separator section 410 illustrated in FIG. 15. Paperboard supporting means 330 has additional end tab construction for interlocking with portions of the locking means located on the end bars of the horizontal separator section. In addition, in this embodiment, lift up tabs are utilized for furand 352 and 352 colinear therewith spaced from the outer margin of the rectangularform and mutually parallel to score lines 350 and 352 and 352' colinear therewith, and spaced from the opposite edge of said rectangular form. Score'lines 350 and 350', with score lines332 and 333 mutually perpendicular thereto and equally spaced from the center of the rectangular form, outline bottom panel '331. Flanking bottom panel 331 and attached thereto at score lines 332 and 333, respectively, are 'front panel 335 and rear panel 335'. Extending outwardly on the edge opposite from scoreline 332 are central panel extension finger 337 andside' panel extension fingers 338. Along central panel extension finger 337. Side flaps 351 are connected on opposite ends of front panel 335 by score lines 352. Grooves 362 substantially colinear with score lines 352 separate end tabs 359, attached by score lines 360 to side flaps 351, from end tabs 339. On the opposite sides of side flaps 351 from score lines 360 are more lines 354 colinear with score line 332 and forming one boundary of triangular sections '353, the opposite side of said triangular sections being formed by oblique line 355 drawn from the intersection of score line 350 and 352 and 332. Side panels 349 and 349' are bounded by score line 355 attaching it to triangular section 353 and score lines 350 and 350 attaching side panels 349 and 349', respectively, to opposite ends of bottom panel 331. Oblique line 355 on another margin of side panels 349 and 349' in 'a similar manner connects those ends to triangular sections 353'. The remaining parts, including rear panel 335 and side flaps 351' having end tabs 359' attached thereto at score lines 360, and extension fingers 337' and 338' with end tabs339' attached to the side panel extension fingers 338, are'all symmetrical to the previously similarly numbered partstnotprime numbers) discussed above. Small rectangular sections 369 located within an overlapping relationship of'front panels 335 with side flaps 351 have score lines. parallel to score line 352 and a score line some lines 340, defining the margins of side panel exten- 7 sion' fingers 338, are end tabs 339 having their outer'and opposite edges. 344 colinear with the outer edge 343 of p 8 the distance between score lines 350=and.350" into substantially equal parts.

'In the assembly of the blank of paperboard supporting means 330 as shown in FIGS. 26-27, side panels 349 and 349 and side flaps 351' and 351'gare rotated so as to overlap the bottom panel 331 and the front and rear panels 335 and 335', respectively. Front and rear panels 335 and 335 are raised to vertical position and end flaps 339 and three 359 and 339 and 359 are rotated into a position preparatory to insertion into a locking means 314 or 414. As shown in FIG. 27 side flaps 351 and 351' are rotated outwardly 90 forming sides to the container 300 with rectangular cutouts 369 and 369', assuming the position shown in FIG. 27 for additional support. Also, all lift-up separator tabs 365 and 367 are raised causing paperboard supporting means 330 to take the form shown in FIG. 27

when fully assembled except for insertion into the appro priate horizontal separator section.

Paperboard supporting means 430'illustrated in FIGS. 2830 is still a fourth embodiment of a paperboard supporting means and may be used in a horizontal separator section in place of paperboard supporting means 330 just described.

As disclosed in FIG. 28, the blank from which paperboard supporting means 430 is formed comprises rectangular bottom panels 431 and 431 connected to narrow rec-. tangular bottom separator panels 474 and 474 by score lines 475 and475', respectively. Bottom separator panels 474 and 474 are connected to each other along score line 476 parallel to both score lines 475 and 475'. Flanking this'bottom panel composed of the four just mentioned.

panels are 'front panel 435 connected to bottom panel 431' by score line 432 and rear panel 435" connected to bottom panel 431 by score line 433. As in the previously described blank, side flaps 451-are attached at opposite ends of front 7 7 panel 435 at score lines 452 perpendicular to score line through'its center colinear with score line 352. Perpendicular to score lines 371 and connecting said-score lines are slits 370. Similarly and symmetrically said rectangular portions 369' are located overlapping rear panel 335' and side flaps 351'. In addition, lift-up separator tabs 367 and 367' are found on the outer edges of side panels 349 and 349, respectively, and attached thereto at hinge lines V 368 and 368', respectively. I-Iingelines 368 and 368 are 432. Also: in a similar manner there are formed central" panel extension fingers 437 flanked by side panel extension fingers 438 and separated therefrom by grooves 441. End tabs 439 are attached to side panel extension fingers 438 at score lines 440 and have their edges 444 colinear with the outer edge of central panel extension finger 437. C0- linear with outer edge 443 of central panel extension finger 437 also in a manner similar to the previous embodiment, end tabs 459 are attached to, side flaps 451 at score 7 lines 460 which are colinear with score lines 440 and said end tabs are separated from end tabs 439 by slits 462. Also, in a similar manner rectangular cutout pieces 469 overlapping into front panel 435 and side flaps 451 have central score lines colinear with score lines 452 and mutually" parallel scorelines 471 equally spaced on each side of the center score line. Also slits 470 on opposite sides of pieces 469connect opposite ends of score lines 471 to" complete the rectangular cut out form. In this form of the blank, oblique score lines 455 connect triangular pieces, 453 with side flaps 451.'Another side'of the triangular 7 sections are formed by score lines 454 colinear with score line 432 and attaching triangular sections 453 to side' panels 477 which side panels are also attached to bottom panel 431 at score lines 478. Side panels 477 extend be-* yond the width of bottom panel 431 with the extensions extending laterally as far as center score line 476 and havlinear with score lines 478 by which they are attached to bottom panel 431'. Rear panel 435' and the portions of triangular sections 453, side flaps 451, central panel extension finger 437' and side panel extension fingers 438'.

9 with end tabs 439' and end tabs 459' and rectangular cutout portions 469' are substantially symmetrical to the previously discussed non-prime numbered parts adjacent front panel 435.

The first folds are made along score lines 476 and 475' rotating bottom separator pael 474' 180 so that the bottom separator panels 474 and 474 overlie bottom panel 431' as shown in FIG. 29. Thereafter side flaps 451 and 451' and side panels 477 and 480 are rotated inward 180 so as to overlap their adjacent parts as shown in previous embodiments, and with front and rear panels 435 and 435, respectively raised in vertical positions, bottom separator panels 474 and 474, raised into vertical position as shown in FIG. 30, will tend to raise side panels 477 and 480 into a vertical position and side flaps 451 and 451' in a position to form sides to paperboard supporting means 430, all as shown in FIG. 30. Paperboard supporting means 430 is then ready for use except for the final step of attachment to horizontal separator section 310 or 410 or a similar type.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 16 by carrier 500. The blank used to form the paperboard supporting means 530 of this carrier is shown in detail in FIG. 31. This comprises a bottom panel 531 flanked by front and rear panels 535 and 535 connected to bottom panel 531 by score lines 532 and 533, respectively. Rectangular bottom panel 531 is bounded on opposite sides by score lines 550 and 550 mutually perpendicular to and connecting score lines 532 and 533 and connecting side panels 549 and 549' to bottom panel 531, respectively. Oblique lines 555 and 555' drawn from the intersection of score lines 532 and 550 and intersections of score lines 533 and 550' and 550' connect triangular sections 553 and 553 to side panels 549 and 549'. Score line 554 colinear with score line 532 form a side of triangular section 553 at which connections are made to side flaps 551. Side flaps 551 are also connected to opposite sides of front panel 535 at score lines 552. End tabs 559 are attached to side panels 551 at score lines 560 and separated from side separator panels 585 and 586 at their extensions 590 and 591, respectively, by slits 592 and 593, respectively, parallel to score lines 560, and by grooves 594 substantially colinear with score line 552.

In a similar manner triangular sections 553' are attached to side flaps 551' at score lines 554', and side flaps 551 are in turn attached to rear panel 535' at score lines 552'. Also similarly, end tabs 559 are located and bounded by slits 592' and 593' and grooves 594'.

A center extension 584 extends as part of front panel 535 on the opposite side from score line 532 as does center extension 584' extend and form part of rear panel 535'. Side separator panel 585 is attached to center extension 584 at score line 587 and is separated from front panel 535 by slit 595. In a similar manner side separator panel 586 is attached to the opposite side of center extension 584 by score line 588 and separated from front panel 535 by slit 596 perpendicular to score line 588. By similar arrangement side separator panels 585 and 586 are connected to center extension 584' at score lines 587' and 588', respectively, and are separated from rear panels 535' by slits 595' and 596, respectively, perpendicular to said score lines.

Although the width of center extensions 584 and 584' on front and rear panels 535 and 535, respectively, may or may not be the same, score line 587 should not be colinear with score line 587' and score line 588 in a similar manner should not be colinear with score line 588 in order to conveniently form the assembled paperboard supporting means 530 as shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. 16. If the aforementioned score lines are not colinear then side separator panels 585 and 585 may overlap without bending of the panels. The displacement of the score line off a colinear extension of the opposing score line by the width of a side separator panel should be sufiicient. In the V 19 assembly of paperboard supporting means 530, side panels 549 and 549' and side flaps 551 and 551' are overlapped on the adjacent panels as shown in FIG. 32 and as previously shown in other embodiments. When front panel 535 and rear panel 535' are raised as shown in steps in FIGS. 32 and 33 side flaps 551 and 551' will form side walls of the paperboard supporting means at angles to front and rear panels 535 and 535, respectively. Side separator panels 585, 586, 585' and 586 are rotated 90 inward into overlapping position of the extension on each of the side separator panels with the adjacent panel. In this embodiment it will be noted that end tabs are present only on the sides of the container and not on the front and rear panel as in previous embodiments. For this reason, they may be fitted into the locking means 514 found only on end bars 511. At the same time side separator panels 585 and 585' fit into one of the notches 507 while side separator panels 586 and 586 fit into the other of notches 507. This provides separation of the containers in container carrier 500 while the parts of paperboard supporting means 530 are held securely in position.

As should be obvious from the numerous embodiments of the present invention disclosed, variations of the various paperboard supporting means and handle and separator sections can be made to fit the present combination in the spirit of the invention. It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container carrier comprising rigid support means,

locking means integral with said rigid support means having a first channel passing completely through said rigid support means ina vertical direction,

a second channel parallel to said first channel passing partially through said rigid support means in a vertical direction,

a handle connected to said rigid support means,

separator means connected to said rigid support means,

and paperboard supporting means hanging from said rigid support means having opposite end portions of said paperboard supporting means engaging said locking means and locked to said rigid support means thereby.

2. A container carrier comprising rigid support means, 7

locking means integral with said rigid support means having an outer wall, an inner wall, and an intermediate wall between said outer and inner walls,

said walls vertically positioned and mutually parallel to each other, I

said intermediate Wall having a bottom connection to one of said other walls,

a handle attached to said rigid support means,

separator means attached to said rigid support means,

and paperboard supporting means hanging from said rigid support means having opposite ends of said paperboard supporting means engaging said locking means and locked to said rigid support means thereby.

3. A container carrier comprising rigid support means including end bars on opposite sides of said rigid support means parallel to each other,

a cross bar attached to said end bars at the midpoints of said end bars,

transverse bars intersecting said cross bar and substantially perpendicular to said cross bar, 

1. A CONTAINER CARRIER COMPRISING RIGID SUPPORT MEANS, LOCKING MEANS INTEGRAL WITH SAID RIGID SUPPORT MEANS HAVING A FIRST CHANNEL PASSING COMPLETELY THROUGH SAID RIGID SUPPORT MEANS IN VERTICAL DIRECTION, A SECOND CHANNEL PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST CHANNEL PASSING PARTIALLY THROUGH SAID RIGID SUPPORT MEANS IN A VERTICAL DIRECTION, A HANDLE CONNECTED TO SAID RIGID SUPPORT MEANS, SEPARATOR MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID RIGID SUPPORT MEANS, AND PAPERBOARD SUPPORTING MEANS HANGING FROM SAID RIGID SUPPORT MEANS HAVING OPPOSITE END PORTIONS OF SAID PAPERBOARD SUPPORTING MEANS ENGAGING SAID LOCKING MEANS AND LOCKED TO SAID RIGID SUPPORT MEANS THEREBY. 